Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill, right, drives to the basket around Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Phoenix. [Photo: CCTV.com/AP Photo]

The NBA announced on Monday that 37-year-old Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill is the 2009-2010 recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy, presented yearly as the league 's Sportsmanship Award.

The award marks the 15-year veteran's third such award, making him the first three-time winner in the 15-year award history. He collected the previous awards for the 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 seasons.

Hill (Pacific) was one of six divisional winners, which included Atlanta's Al Horford (Southeast), Boston's Ray Allen (Atlantic), Cleveland's Antawn Jamison (Central), Denver's Chauncey Billups (Northwest) and Houston's Luis Scola (Southwest). He received 96 first-place votes of a possible 315.

The award was voted on by NBA players for the sixth consecutive year, with designated point values assigned to votes for first place through sixth place.

The annual award reflects the ideals of sportsmanship -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity -- in amateur and professional basketball.

The trophy is named after former Detroit Pistons guard and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, the award's first recipient in 1996.